11+ London no place

[Foamshrimp]

Does anyone have any experience of the mid-level London indie co-educational schools having last minute places eg in summer holidays. Am thinking of the Emanuel’s and Harrodians etc? We have had a shocker I think it is fair to say - interviews but no wait lists. State where I live not an option - only possible non religious school for which we are in catchment gets really poor GCSE results. Help!

What area of London?
Preps for 2 years, Newton Prep, Durston House, Newland House, Hill House. There will be lots more.
Senior schools, Portland Place, Thames Christian College, North Bridge House,
International schools Dwight, Halcyon
New untested schools, Eaton Sq Upper School, Fulham Prep now has a senior school.

Thought of another couple, Ewell Castle and another new untested pricey school Kensington Park.
Another thing to think about is schools just outside London on a train line

Thank you both. Generally speaking, would there have been discussions between the secondaries and prep heads between interview and offer day does anyone know? Too late for me now I guess but trying to get a handle on exactly how the system works for next time!

Thanks Mary21. You are a fount of knowledge!

Actually I think the preps have far less influence on places in the secondary independent schools than people believe. Those paying prep school fees would like to think they are getting this help, and those not in prep school think there is a conspiracy keeping others out.

My DS attended a well regarded independent London Prep and actually we got very little help.

A good head can make the difference between a boy being outright rejected and instead being offered an interview. Likewise being moved from an outright no to a wait list or see again at 12 option. But anything else we just can’t achieve, sadly the schools are so over subscribed they will offer to the best of the best only, and why shouldn’t they! Can you imagine a fee paying selective School saying, oh, let’s not offer to the top 20% to give candidates lower down the list a chance! We offer to the brightest at 7+, knowing full well that many also sat SPS and KCS and won’t come to us, but we still offer to the best!

And I speak as a Deputy Head in a school where pupils do the whole round of pre-tests.

Thank you v much trinity. A wait list would be a start at least. Would there usually be a discussion between interview and offers going out to parents or after the offers are sent? Or both?

I don't think there is much if any discussion between interviews and offers

However the prep school heads usually know the results on the day the envelopes are sent (so they know the results before the parents)
This is the point at which I would expect the prep head to be on the case thinking of a plan of action for any children who are without a place

Your head should be on this regardless of half term. This is exactly why we send out the results to the heads of schools prior to the parents knowing, so they can 'scoop up' the parents who are usually in shock when they realise they have no offers. The head should have a clear plan to support the parents and pupils.

Failing this, contact all the school and try and get feedback on why not offered/waitlisted so you can think through your own options - prep to 13, lowered expectation schools, or simply asking them to reconsider and wait list if only just missing out.

Not wanting to be too nosey, did you not have a discussion with your current head about next schools prior to the entrance exams to ensure you were entering appropriately and not be in this position.

Thanks Bellie. Yes we did discuss with current school who recommended schools that have not offered sadly. He did do one aspirational one and we were not surprised nor even especially disappointed that did not work out. But we have been really surprised that not one of the others has offered. He is a well behaved child who has never caused any problems at school and generally well liked.

Foamshrimp I can only imagine how horrible it has been for you. We know a few who had the same last year who were totally shocked. All have stayed on at prep and now applied to very expensive boarding schools with no entrance exams.
I feel that the current school may have let you down, it is always wise to have an aspirational school, a should get in and a fall back school. It now leaves you in a tough position. Your school should also be giving you lots of help and at the very least talking to you. Have others in your school also got the same issue-maybe there has been a problem with the year group? There are quite a few schools around Surrey that don't get full and don't have entry requirements that are lovely schools. I hope you find something that suits your DS.

Thanks Sazzy. Current school and head are fantastic. I know they will help all they can. I think we have just been incredibly unlucky. I am on the case now and feeling more positive now I have a plan.

The school will often know well in advance, we managed to get some children interviews at some schools who were going to reject based on exam performance - the parents had no idea they had additional help to get to that stage.

Can be hard keeping track of what the child/parent knows and what only we know so you don’t out your foot in it.

Some schools though are useless at involving/informing the schools.

There will always be a School for your child, and all the schools are great in the area, so don’t panic if it wasn’t your first choice. Make the best of what you have at the time available.

Thanks trinity. Appreciate it.

My experience, both direct and through friends, of 11+ is that there is no behind the scenes contact between primaries and secondaries and often little help sorting out these sorts of issues. Hopefully not the case for you

I have known this to happen to three children who went instead to prep schools for two years (Newton and Thomas's) and thence to boarding school or Dulwich, one of them on an academic scholarship having failed 7 schools at 12+. Oh, just remembered another who went to the Halcyon.

If the result was genuinely surprising the school should be able and willing to do some lobbying, but, as others have said, you will probably have to be flexible about destinations. And the preps will want some sort of entrance test sat

I am so sorry you are in this situation and good luck

i can reiterate i know a few this happened to in recent years, or those who had an unacceptable (to them) surprising state allocation and decided to go private after the offer day.
ALL of these children are now in great independent secondaries. It does work out.

8 years ago, my DS was rejected by all the ‘top’ private secondaries in SW London. He was only accepted by one school that was considered a ‘B league’ school at the time. Some of my friends were quite condescending when I told them where he was going. However he did really well, achieved A*s at A level and is now studying at Cambridge.

I actually now believe that the school matters far less than I ever believed at the time. When I think back to our how stressed and upset I was at the time, I can’t believe I wasted all that time and energy.

I was in a similar position a couple of years ago but have a dd so harder to do a prep for two years and move at 13+.

In the end she got a place at one of the schools that competitive London parents look down on. My plan was to try to move her to somewhere considered 'better' for Y9 but I haven't because she is well settled where she is and I'm very happy with her school. A 'better' school would not necessarily be better for her.

Your boy will be fine as there are plenty of excellent preps to 13 looking to fill places. As pp have said try Kings House, Newton prep, Durston house, Clifton lodge, Fulham prep. You can then find the right school for him at 13+. As Jeanne16 has said this will work out ok.

Good luck!

Some years back Hill House would usually have a place . I was told this was because of diplomats, embassy workers etc. moving. They were by far the biggest feeder to Eton. Give them a ring. You would have a bit of time to prepare for your DS 13+

Thanks for your kindness everyone and all the advice. I have a good list now and plenty of places to try so feeling more positive. I suppose I would say this given where I am but this system is just awful.

Wishing you lots of luck and best wishes xxx

Foamshrimp, the system IS awful! And flawed.

Love what Jeanne posted. She's so right - much short sighted panic goes on in west london about schools, and its so catching (at least, I find it so). I hope you find a great fit for your ds x

Agreed. It is madness! I thought that even before I was in this situation!

Foamshrimp, so interesting to read your post, we have one waitlist and that's it, came as a shock as had good general interviews and is top of class in most subjects. But sounds like a familiar story in West London!
Curious if you have had any luck on the late applications as thinking of trying more schools as we kept it to a minimum originally.
Feel your stress and pain completely, seeing a child of 10 feel such rejection is torture.